Uarda : a Romance of Ancient Egypt — Volume 05 eBook

The prince stood in astonishment before Ameni, and
did not take his offered hand. Then the priest
went up to him, and said:

“You said you were ready to take the consequences
of your folly, and a prince’s word must be kept.
Before sunset we will conduct you to the gate of
the temple.”

Ameni turned his back on the boys, and left the school-court.

Rameri looked after him. Utter whiteness had
overspread his blooming face, and the blood had left
even his lips. None of his companions approached
him, for each felt that what was passing in his soul
at this moment would brook no careless intrusion.
No one spoke a word; they all looked at him.

He soon observed this, and tried to collect himself,
and then he said in a low tone while he held out his
hands to Anana and another friend:

“Am I then so bad that I must be driven out
from among you all like this —­that such
a blow must be inflicted on my father?”

“You refused Ameni your hand!” answered
Anana. “Go to him, offer him your hand,
beg him to be less severe, and perhaps he will let
you remain.”

Rameri answered only “No.” But that
“No” was so decided that all who knew
him understood that it was final.

Before the sun set he had left the school. Ameni
gave him his blessing; he told him that if he himself
ever had to command he would understand his severity,
and allowed the other scholars to accompany him as
far as the Nile. Pentaur parted from him tenderly
at the gate.

When Rameri was alone in the cabin of his gilt bark
with his tutor, he felt his eyes swimming in tears.

“Your highness is surely not weeping?”
asked the official.

“Why?” asked the prince sharply.

“I thought I saw tears on your highness’
cheeks.”

“Tears of joy that I am out of the trap,”
cried Rameri; he sprang on shore, and in a few minutes
he was with his sister in the palace.

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS:

Ask for what is feasible
I know that I am of use
Like the cackle of hens, which is peculiar to Eastern
women
Think of his wife, not with affection only, but with
pride
Those whom we fear, says my uncle, we cannot love

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